Artengineering Workshop concluded at KU

17 June 2012

Dhulikhel, Kavre

A Five-day long Artengineering Workshop concluded in Kathmandu University on 16 June 2012. School of Engineering Turbine Testing Lab had organized this workshop in association with the Centre for Art and Design of School of Arts of Kathmandu University.

The main objective of the workshop was to transfer competence of advanced methods of metal casting techniques being practiced in Nepal to School of Engineering and School of Arts of the University with prospects of industrial applications.

Inaugurating the Opening Ceremony, Mr. Kishore Thapa, Architect Engineer & Secretary of Ministry of Education, expressed a satisfactory remark over the contribution of Kathmandu University. The University is expanding by all means on its capacity being a role model in higher education of Nepal. Thapa exclaimed that the philosophy of aesthetic appeal does work for consuming the products in the market. This workshop would be a milestone for expanding participant's knowledge of art, culture and technology together for manufacturing production, he added.

Vice Chancellor, Dr. Suresh Raj Sharma recalled KU's initial days when university was designing interdisciplinary courses on its academic programs. The purpose of these courses was to make students capable with innovation and creativity in their discipline. He encouraged the participants for acquiring technical and professional expertise in the field of metal casting techniques and hoped that the workshop will be able to assist them to make durable industrial applications.

Prof. Dr. Bhola Thapa, Dean SOE welcomed the guests and the participants and expressed that this is the beginning of such type of program where students of Arts and Engineering acquired artistic and creative knowledge together. We are committed to launch such type of combining programs in future, he said.

Mr. Biraj Singh Thapa, Coordinator of the workshop and In-charge of Turbine Testing Lab, outlined the program and projected the possibility of its implementation area. The Workshop would be worthy for the students who are involved in Engineering, Art and Designing profession.

Concluding the inaugural session Prof. Dr. Bhadra Man Tuladhar, Registrar of Kathmandu University expressed vote of thanks to the chief guest and the participants and wished all success of the program.

25 students from School of Engineering, 20 students from School of Arts, and 10 technicians from School of Engineering participated in the workshop. Mr. Tejesh Man Shakya, Mr. Kriti Man Shakya and Ms. Swosti Rajbhandari from Department of Art and Design, School of Arts were the instructor of this five day long program.  

The participants got an exposure to casting techniques and design principles, wax modeling, channel mixing and moulding, de-waxing and mould baking, and metal casting. The cast products prepared by the participants were demonstrated during closing ceremony to the Chairperson Dr. Mahesh Banskota, Dean, School of Arts. The certificate was distributed to all the participants and technical team jointly by Prof. Dr. Bhola Thapa and Dr. Mahesh Banskota. Special guest of the closing ceremony Mr. Tej Ratna Shakya, an experienced and retired craft man of Nepal was acknowledged for his life time service to preserve and promote the ancient techniques of metal casting practice in Nepal.

Concluding the closing ceremony Dr. Mahesh Banskota, Dean, School of Arts said that the workshop brought the people working in two different fields together for accomplishing creative work. He expressed vote of thanks to Prof. Bhola Thapa for taking an initiative to conduct such inter disciplinary and innovative work. He also expressed his interest to work together on such activities in future as well.